The seizure of gold worth over Rs 7.5 crore on the Chennai-Alappuzha train yesterday proves that the train is also very much an active medium in gold smuggling. This is the largest gold hunt in the state by the Railway Protection Force. Three youths have been arrested in connection with the incident. If the gold reached the destination safely, the reward promised to each was ten thousand rupees. This is a country with a lot of conspiracies to lure unemployed youth into smuggling and underworld activities like this. We can sympathize with these three young men who could not understand the seriousness of the work they were doing. Gold smuggling and hawala transactions, which undermine the economic security of the country, have not started in the state today or yesterday. All the four airports here are notorious for smuggling gold by air. The investigation into gold smuggling through diplomatic luggage is still ongoing. The reality is that there has been no decline in gold smuggling by air even after this incident, which has caused political turmoil.

With the lifting of Covid restrictions and the resumption of train services, a new route has been opened for all types of smugglers. Trains are considered by smuggling gangs to be the most suitable for drug trafficking, including cannabis. There is the convenience of having to face the minimum inspection. It is also easy to evade the eye of railway guards. Gold reaches India by sea and air across international borders. There are indications that 16 kg of gold seized from Olavakkode the other day was involved in the smuggling of gold to Chennai. It was handed over to carriers to be given to a gold shop in Thrissur. More than Rs 7.5 crore has been lost to those involved after it was caught by the RPF. Two days ago, more than a kilogram of gold was seized from two passengers on the Chennai-Alappuzha train. It is noteworthy that the gold smuggling was caught on two days amid special checks to curb the flow of black money in the Assembly elections. 1.22 crore was seized from three passengers of a special train from Chennai Egmore to Kollam at Thenmala on Thursday morning. Special investigations have been launched across Tamil Nadu as per the directions of the Election Commission on the suspicion of widespread distribution of black money in Tamil Nadu, where the Assembly elections are being held along with Kerala. During the last Lok Sabha elections, it was reported that a large number of lorries were seized. Nothing was heard later as to where its investigation had reached. In Tamil Nadu, all parties pay to ensure votes, which is like a tradition there. It is a fact that such immoral tactics play a crucial role in the electoral success of Tamil Nadu politics, no matter how much it is prevented.

With the commencement of the nomination paper submission, the electoral arena in Kerala is becoming active. In the next three weeks, there will be a major influx of money. The spending limit is around Rs 30 lakh per candidate. But it will take twice as much to hold on. The power of black money is most evident during elections.

These are the days when the police and other agencies have to work hard to stop the flow of black money on trains, buses and private vehicles. Gold and counterfeit currency seized from trains at Olavakkode and Thenmala may be mere clues. Once caught, the gangs look for new ways. This is the time when the eyes and ears need to be more open. People can also help the authorities in preventing smuggling. It is also a time when civic consciousness needs to be shown more. Like gold and counterfeit money, drug trafficking is becoming a major threat to society. The next day, large quantities of drugs and narcotics were seized from Sri Lankan boats at sea. Globally, drug trafficking and its prevalence are on the rise. This underworld is deeply rooted in the state as well. Underworld gangs that destroy even future generations pose a serious threat to world nations. This disaster can be only controlled with extreme vigilance and austerity measures.